The Atlanta Braves breaking news and discussions.

The Braves lose to the Nationals despite Freeman and Camargo going deep, and a look ahead to the 2nd half of the 2017 season.

Watching yesterday’s game in Washington D.C. was not a painful experience despite the final score. The Atlanta Braves newest emerging star Johan Camargo had a fantastic day at the plate and Freddie Freeman continued to crush the Washington Nationals pitching. Despite the play of the offense, the Braves were out scored to the Nationals as the final series of the 1st half of the season was an even split. The Braves are 8.5 games back of the National League East leading Nationals and these two teams will not play against each other until September.

The Braves play by play commentators Joe Simpson and Chip Carey asked an intriguing question during the game that got me thinking last night and this morning. How will the Braves work Johan Camargo into their everyday lineup? There are a couple of immediate answers. First the Braves can play Camargo at shortstop and send Dansby Swanson back down to AAA Gwinnett. Although this is unlikely to happen. The 2nd option which might be unpopular in the Braves organization is move Camargo to 3rd base and put Freddie Freeman back to his Gold Glove winning position at 1st base.

Matt Adams has filled in wonderfully for the Braves at 1st base after the injury to Freddie Freeman earlier this year. Freeman moved to 3rd base to keep Matt Adams in the lineup, but the Braves do not need 2 1st baseman. Although it was very noble of Freeman to change positions for the good of the team, Braves manager Brian Snitker and Braves General Manager John Coppolella should make this call. 1 possible scenario is for the Braves to trade Matt Adams for potential prospects to an American League team. The Braves have a good relationship with the Boston Red Soxs and John Coppolella can work his front office magic and the Braves can gain even more potentially great prospects. Baseball is a business and Braves president John Hart will have the final say on what is the best for the Atlanta Braves, not some goofy sport’s governing writer in South Carolina.

It is very probable for the Braves to take the next step and enjoy post season play in October. The Braves fans want it and the Braves players, coaches, and front office want to watch the Braves succeed as well. I’m no general manager or coach but if you look at it from a fan, the Braves have only 8 positions for 9 positions. Feelings might be hurt and fans will miss some players but honestly that is baseball. To put things into perspective, do you remember when the Braves traded Shelby Miller to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a couple of players named Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciatre? Do the Braves even miss or remember Shelby Miller? Players come and go in baseball all the time. Love your home team and try to look at the overall picture. Baseball is not an immediate fix where you can just cut players and bring in players off the bench. People can be in such a hurry. People can get their meals in under 15 minutes, but it takes time for a seed to grow. Maybe that is a bad analogy, but try to be patient Braves fans and let the pieces fall where they may. Enjoy the All Star break and GO BRAVES!!!!!